A253
Ungulates
Ungulates are hoofed animals. Most use the tips of their
toes to sustain their entire body weight while moving. Under
the Linnaeus classification system, all were originally
classified into one order, Ungulata. This was later split
into two orders: (1) The Perissodactyla, or odd-toed
ungulates, which includes horses, tapirs, zebras, and
rhinoceriioses. There are 15 species. (2) The Artiodactyla,
or even-toed ungulates, with 220 species, includes pigs,
camels, hippopotamuses, chevrotains, deer, giraffes, sheep,
goats, cattle, and America’s unique pronghorn antelope, the
sole species in its family.
There is controversy regarding
classification. Some scientists maintain that ungulates are
a cladistic (evolution-based) group. Others argue that they
are a phenetic group, which means they are similar, but not
necessarily related), because not all ungulates appear as
closely related as once believed. Whatever classification
system eventually prevails, it will almost surely contain
these same species.
This poster is divided into two sections, one for each of
the two orders. Within them, all of the families are
explored.